Store to Bring Items for 'Sports Nuts' to Eldersburg

graduate Andrea Freedman has had challenges throughout her life, but she hasn't let anything get in the way of her dreams of owning a successful business.

Freedman, an Eldersburg resident who was diagnosed with a learning disability, started her business, Andies Candies, at 15, opening her shop first on Ellicott City Main Street, then

But now, she's closing Andies Candies and moving her business down the road, having found her niche--sports memorabilia. 

Her new business, "The Sports Nut," located at 1532 Liberty Road between Quest Diagnostics and Weichert Realty, will feature professional football items from all 32 teams, 200 different balloon designs, and a large collection of bobble heads. 

"This is a very exciting venture for Andrea," said her mother Mona Freedman, who co-founded Caring Communities, a non-profit organization in Eldersburg created by a group of parents of children with disabilities to address the need for comprehensive respite care services.

Andrea was the first student with a disability to win the Junior Achievement Entrepreneur of the Year Award for Central Maryland in 2005.  

"She has had a very successful year and is looking forward to being one of Eldersburg's favorite businesses," said Freedman.

The Sports Nut will open on June 1. Find more information about Freedman and her business through her website here.